The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-21
DEATH OF COL. HENRY A. MONT
GOMERY.

GOMERY.
The death Of Col. Montgomery, presi-
dent Of the jockey club, in the club
house yesterday, while welcoming as
special guests the delegates to the water
ways convention, was rs dramatic as il
was sudden. His last word was "wel-
come" and il was appropriate, His heart
had always been rs al open door, andin his
home he had q warm welcome for all who
entered In. With him the latch.string
was ever on the outside, and he illustrated
in n jovial, wholc-soulcd and unstintcd
way the traditional hospitality of his
countrymen. Strong and vigorous, with a
franc and temperament that seemed TO
defy time, he was among the first in tho
promotion Of everything that could in the
least advance the interests OF the city.
Brusque, sometimes, as when business
cares pressed upon him simultaneously,
he was M genial as sunshine and as happy
hearted Us a boy. lie was the wonder and
amazement OF his contemporaries, no
ono Of whom could keep pace with
Kim In his work or pleasures.
Ills powers Of endurance were only
equallcd by his executive ability and his
close grasp Of the details OF the immense
business which he controlled and directed
with an ease that made him the envy OF
business men. To himthe compress compa-
ny, which has done so much TO mako Mem
phis the fiBt Of interior cotton msrbets,
owes It's existence and the ready facilities II
hasior handlingand comprcssingth the cotton
that here seeks n market. lie located all
the congresses, supervised their erection
and planned and built the annexed ware
houses. Col. Montgomery was naturally
a builder. Construction and design were
Easy 10 him, and he could readily adapt
these gifts TO any needed purpose. His
was moi. q restless disposition. On tho
contrary, when the energy OF which no
had ~ wonderful n store was not impclling
him on N or other Of his vent
ures, no could BIO rcstiul and
simple NJ n child. But No loved
activity most, and 30 the world that knew
him would seepAA-Ls vu,or-ms element
in -ry degree Of cstfulncss. In his home,
whcc he laid aside the rugycdness Of Ills
character and put on the gcntlcr ways that
were his. he made an impression upon
those privileged IN such occasions of
finely and firmly knit character, cstab-
lishcd upon foundationsoi principle solidly
laid. lilo was u direct product Of
that now generally regarded dis.
Stinciiyc Scotch-lrish race, which
has left its mark everywhere in tho
United States, furnishing W II has ~
many great merchants, successful bankers
and renowned soldiers. Proud OF his
origin and kinships, he gloricd 10 the
history Of his race and Of In dominance on
~ many fields Of action. Essentially a
man Of action, he WIS born 10 b. a leader.
He had, perhaps, never learned Of the
word subordination, aud therefore could
not have been subordinate 10 any
one. Even early in life he climbed the
ladder that lei 10 independence while his
contemporaries wcrc ~hshioning their am.
billions. No man could mako a place for
him andhold him in IL. Hiacncrrics were
ircprssiblc and could MOI, he restrained.
lilo planned well and always for sucrcS.
The jockey club is one II his creations
aud greatest succcSscss, Gifted with nc.
curacy and good Judgment In
designing and constructing, he was
equally ~ where the hamonics Of
nature were 10 he enlisted for effect.
Quick 10 see the advantages Of the land.
scapc embraced within the grounds Of the
club and NJ beautifully cnyiruncd beyond,
he invoked the aid Of the gardeners art,
and in a few months made a change that
transformed the whole Into n delightful
scene, Of which the eye never wcarics.
lie loved nature because i~lappcalcd to him
like u mother, and he responded always
With the affection oi a child. Col. Mont.
gomcry made his own place In the social
life Of Memphis, aud thcU is no one who
can adequately hll Il, no one with his large.
mrs. and generosity, no one who has the
courage Of the initiative, no ono with the
power for organizing, no one with anything
like hisgmspof detail or kccnncS Of vision
In ordering for the beautiful ~ well As pmc.
teal, no n who can cNpcnd himself ~ he
did or enlist the energies and enthusiasm
Of youth. Ills position wasa unique one and
his fellow citizens, rccogniGing his public
spirit gladly conceded a mastery ~ kindly
and ~ usciully aud unsclashly exercised.
Ills loyalty and truth In friendship was
%provcrbial, and he was careful TO distin.
euish between the ties Of friendship and
the claims ot mcc aoquainianccship. lie
WIS known TO everybody in the city, but
was known by but few. He seldom NJ.
vcalcdth whole man; when he did he justi.
fled MI that Is herein LETT unsaid that
could enhance a character In which sun.
shine was the prcdominating hue.